Dispensing device



W. M. CHRISTOPHER Sept. 27, 1938.

DISPENS ING DEVICE Filed Aug. 10, 1937 2 Sheets-Sheet 1' 3% ma mm a \Qb0 km 5 m R ,Q M H WQ M P k 0 N 7 N NR KM m 7 M M m v w M H hum MUM 4/ P1938- w. M. CHRISTOPHER 2,131,218

DISPENSING DEVICE 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Aug. 10, 1957 Patented Sept.27, 1938 UNITED STATES DISPENSING DEVICE Wiiiiam M. Christopher,Tonawanda, N.

Appiication August 10,

8 Claims.

This invention relates to a dispensing device designed primarily as atoilet appliance for dispensing tooth paste from collapsible tubes, butit is to be understood that the device, in accord- 5 ance with thisinvention, is for use in any connection for which it may be foundapplicable, such as for dispensing shaving cream, glue, paint, and thelike from collapsible tubes.

The invention has for its object to provide, in a manner as hereinafterset forth, a device of the class referred to with means for convenientlyand expeditiously dispensing when desired and in a sanitary manner,tooth paste from a collapsible tube upon the bristles of the head of atooth brush.

The invention has for its further object, to provide a device of theclass referred to with latchable indicating means to enable the user toregulate the amount of paste he desires expelled from the tube.

A further object of the invention is to provide a device of the classreferred to with means for selectively supporting and retaining toothbrush heads of various sizes in position to receive there-' on, aquantity of paste from the tube.

A further object of the invention is to provide, in a manner ashereinafter set forth, a normally closed paste cut-off and with'thelatter shiftable to open position by a brush head whereby on partlycollapsing of the tube, a quantity of paste will be deposited on thebristles of the brush head.

A further object of the invention is to provide in a manner ashereinafter set forth, a device of the class referred to including meansfor collapsing successive portions of the paste tube at a point offsetwith respect to the longitudinal median for the purpose of expellingsuccessive uniform quantities of paste.

A further object of the invention is to provide in a manner ashereinafter set forth, a device for the purpose referred to includingmeans acting on a tube of paste for expelling the contents of the latterand with said means so arranged and constructed to provide for thecomplete collapsed portion of the tube winding thereon and to formbetween the non-collapsed portion of the tube and the completelycollapsed portion of the tube a permanent angularly disposed taperedportion acted upon by the expelling means to gradually decrease it incross-sectional area to cause the expelling of the paste.

Further objects of the invention are to provide a device for the purposereferred to which is simple in its construction and arrangement, strong,durable, compact, thoroughly efficient in 1937, Serial No. 158,411. (Cl.221-30) its use, conveniently and expeditiously operated, readilyassembled, pleasing in appearance, having means topermit it to bereadily secured in an upstanding position relative to a support,fcapable of suspending tooth brushes, and comparatively inexpensive tomanufacture;

To the above ends essentially, andito others which may hereinafterappear, the invention consists of the novel construction, combinationand arrangement of parts to be more specifically referred to and asillustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein is shown an embodimentof the invention, but it is to'be understood that changes, 1

variations and modifications may be resorted to which fall within thescope of the invention as claimed.

In the drawings:-- Figure 1 is a front elevation of the device; Figure 2is a side elevation of the device,

Figure 3 is'a section on line 3--3, Figure 1,

upon an enlarged scale,

Figure 4 is a top plan view of the brush head holder,

Figure 5 is a section on line 5-5, Figure 4, showing the holderstructure adjusted for supporting small brush heads,

Figure 6 is a section on line 55, Figure 4, but showing theholder'structure adjusted for supporting large brush heads,

Figure '7 is a bottom plan of the housing of the device and showing thepaste cut-off in closed position,

Figure 8 is a view similar to Figure 7 showing the paste cut-off in openposition,

Figure 9 is a horizontal sectional View on line 9-9, Figure 11,

Figure 10 is an elevation looking towards one end of the roll carryingshaft of the combined tube collapsing and paste expelling mechanism,

Figure 11 is a fragmentary View in top plan of the mechanism shown inFigures 9, 10, and,

Figure 12 is a section on line 82- -52, Figure 11.

The device includes a house, container or receptacle indicated generallyat I, and which will be hereinafter termed housing. Preferably thelatter will be of rectangular contour and disposed on its bottom 2. Thetop of the body of the housing I is open and to the upper end of thelatter is hinged a flanged closure 3, for closing the open top of thehousing body. The latter and the closure 3 have coacting means at thefront thereof for latching the closure in closing position. The housingI includes a front wall 5, a rear wall 6, and a pair of side walls. Thewalls 5, 6, are imperforate. One of the side walls is imperforated andthe other, which is indicated at I, is formed with a cut-out or opening8 disposed lengthwise thereof and-extending from the top edge of wall 1to an upstanding; extension 9,- formed on the bottom 2. The extension 9has a portion thereof, as at 18, offset to project into the opening 8.The bottom wall 3 at its sides and front is formed with an upstandingflange II. The extension 18 is an integral part of a side portion of theflange II.

The bottom 2 (Figures '7, 8) is of rectangular contour and providedcentrally with a circular opening l2, and between the latter and eachend thereof, openings l3 are formed therein. The bottom 2 at the innersides of the openings I3, is provided with a pair of oppositelyextending retainers I4, I; which oppose and are spaced from the lowerface of bottom 2. The latter includes a rearward extending rectangularextension ll, spaced inwardly adjacent to the sides of bottom 2. Theextension I! is formed with a pair of opposite disposed retainers l8,H], which oppose and are spaced from the lower face of the extensions H.The retainers l4, l5 are disposed in inner endwise spaced alignment withthe front ends of the retainers l8, 19 respectively.

The extension ll adjacent its rear edge and between the rear ends of theretainers l8, I9. is formed with a pair of depending lugs 28 which arestruck from the body of the extension. The latter has a dependingapertured arm 2! at its rear end for the passage of a holdfast means 22for the purpose of anchoring the lower end of the housing with anupstanding support 23.

The upper end of the body housing is provided with a rearwardlyextending angle-shaped arm 24, having a horizontal and a vertical part25, 26, respectively. The part 25 is integral with the housing body. Thepart 26 extends upwardly from the rear end of part 25 and is aperturedfor the passage of suitableholdfast means for securing housing I to thesupport 23.

21 to provide the hinge between the closure and the housing. The hingeis disposed rearwardly of the housing body to enable the closure 3 to becompletely opened for the purpose of positioning therein the collapsibletube 28 and the combined tube collapsing and paste expelling mechanismto be referred to.

The bottom 2, (Figures 3, 7, 8) of housing I is formed with a dependinglatching pin 29, a depending stationary shaft 38 non-aligning with butspaced from pin29, and a depending pin 3| in proximation to opening l2and shaft 39. The pin 29 is of greater length than pin 3!. The shaft 30is of greater length than pin 29. The opening I2 is for the passage ofthe neck 32 of the tube 28.

The tube collapsing and paste expelling mechanism generally indicated at33 includes a horizontally disposed U-shaped frame 34, disposed on alengthwise edge thereof. The frame 34 is open at its front and has itssides or cheeks indicated at 35, 35. Each side of frame 34 has itsintermediate portion inset with respect to the front and rear portionsand in this connection attention is directed to the showing Figures 10,11. The side 35 of frame 34 is formed with an inclined slot 31 openingat the forward 'lower corner thereof. The side 35 of the frame 34 isformed with a vertically disposed slot 38 opening at the top edgethereof. Extending into the slot 38 and overlapping the outer face ofthe inset intermediate section of the frame side 36 is a slide 39 formedwith a pair of vertically aligned openings 48, 4i, and a laterallydisposed tubular bearin 42, forming an outward continuation of theopening 45.

Extending through the slot 38 and the opening 4| is the shaft 43 of aroll 44 employed for collapsing tube 28 and for winding thereon thecollapsed portion of the tube. The roll 44 also coa'cts with a hollowrevolvable compressing roll 45, the latter assisting in collapsing thetube. The collapsing of the tube provides for the expelling of the pastetherefrom. The shaft 43 has mounted on one end thereof a splitperipherally grooved collar 46 which has extended into the groovethereof the side edges of slot 33 whereby one end of shaft 43 isconnected to frame side 35. The other end of shaft 43 is extended fromopening 4! and formed with an axially arranged socket 41 in which ispositioned a spring controlled headed latching member 48. A collar 49 issecured on shaft 43 for connecting it with the other frame side 36. Thehead of member 48 is indicated at 50 and is rounded. The controllingspring for member 48 is indicated at 5|. The purpose of member 48 willbe hereinafter referred to. The roll 44 at one end is formed with arecess 52 to provide a clearance for the inner end of collar 46. Theroll 44 lengthwise thereof is provided with an opening 53 extending fromone end to the other of substantially circular cross section and apassage 54 corresponding in length to that of the opening. The

passage 54 extends from the periphery of the roll to the opening 53. Thelatter is for the purpose of receiving the overlapped closed end 55 ofthe tube 28 and the passage 54 receives that portion of the body of thetube bordering said end 55. The opening 53 and passage 54 coact todetachably connect the tube to roll 44. The opening 53 at one end alignswith the slot 31, which enables one to slide tube end 55 into and out ofopening 53.

The compression roll 45 is arranged below, in proximity to and to oneside of the axis of roll 44. The roll 45 is revolvably mounted betweenthe frame sides 35, 36, on a stationary shaft 56 which extends throughand is connected to the rear lower corners of said frame sides.

The mechanism 33 includes a revolvable disc 51 having its edge formedwith spaced transverse concaved grooves 58 and spaced edge portions 59.The disc is to be grasped by the finger and thumb of a person to rotateit intermittently to operate mechanism 33 for the purpose of expellingsuccessive portions of the paste from the tube. Secured to the innerface of disc 51 is a keeper member 58 for the latching member 48. Thekeeper member 60 is in the form of a disc provided with an axial openingat BI and a circular row of spaced sockets 62 in proximity to its outeredge. The head of the latching member 48 rides against the inner face ofmember 60 for successively engaging in the sockets 62 for intermittentlylatching disc 5'! after each impulse is given thereto by the operator,that is to say, when the disc 5'! is moved for a certain distance it isautomatically latched. The distance which the disc is to beintermittently moved corresponds to the distance between the axes of apair of sockets to cause a portion of the paste to be expelled. When thedisc 51 is successively moved the distance as I,

stated, the expelled portions of the paste would be substantially of thesame quantity. The opcollapsed portion of the tube.

erator will be made aware as to when he should discontinue the impulseor shift of disc 51, as the latching member will engage in the socketsand arrest the turn of the disc. The operator will feel this latchingeffect through the disc 51. If the operator desires a quantity of pastegreater than the normal quantity he will continue the shift afterfeeling each latching, to another latching or a further latching ifdesired.

Fixed to the disc and extending through the axial opening El in thekeeper member 68 is a rotatable shaft 63 which extends through thebearing 42 and the opening 38 in the slide. The inner end of shaft 33carries a pinion 84 which meshes with the teeth of a gear 55 fixed toone end of the roll The pinion E4 and gear 65 coact when disc 57: isrotated for revolving the roll 45 in the direction of the arrow Figure3. When the disc 5? is intermittently rotated the tube 28 will appear asshown in Figure 3 and the rolls 45, M will coact toprovide portions ofthe tube 28 completely collapsed and wound on the roller 35, anangularly disposed tapered portion 6! disposed between the collapsedportion and the non The expelling action on the paste is had by thecoaction of the rolls 5, G5 on the upper part of the tapered portion 8'!of the tube 28.

For the cap of the tube 28 a paste outlet memher in the form of aflanged cap 88 is substitute-d. The cap 28 is connected to the neck ofthe tube and is completely arranged below the wall 2 of housing l,Figure 3. The cap 68 is provided with an axially arran ed outlet opening68 for the discharge of the paste from the tube 28. The opening 68 is ofmaterially less diameter than that of and aligns with the axis of theneck of the tube. The cap 68 couples the tube to the bottom 2 of thehousing. The cut-off for the paste and which acts as a closure for theoutlet opening 69 is generally indicated at it, is vertically disposedand horizontally shiftable relative to cap 68. The cut-elf it includes aflared vertical part H and a flared horizontal part '52, which extendsat right angles to the upper end of the part H. Formed integral with therear edge of part II and extending above the part '52 is a barrel l3which is loosely mounted on the shaft ill. The latter carries acontrolling spring M (Figure 3) mounted on the lower portion of theshaft and upon which sits the lower end of barrel 53. One end of thespring 'id is connected to a pin l5 fixed to and extending diametricallythrough the lower end of shaft 3%. connected with the barrel 13. Thespring 14 normally functions to maintain the cut-off ill in the positionshown in Figure 3. The upper end of the barrel i3 is provided With anextension 76 which coacts with the pin 3! for limiting the closingmovement of the cut-off E8. The part 72 of the cutofl i8 is formed withan indentation "H which functions as a keeper for the latching pin ormember 25 when the cut-off it is shifted horizontally to an extent fromcompletley below the cap 88 to provide for the coaction of latchingmember 29 and the indentation Tl for the purpose of latching the cut-offit! in such shifted position as shown in Fi ure 8, whereby cap 58 may beremoved from the neck of the tube to uncouple the latter and the tubeand mechanism 33 then removed from housing l to permit disconnecting thecollapsed tube from mechanism 33.

The device includes a supporting structure for holding a brush head inposition to receive a quantity of paste expelled from the tube 28.

mediate part 94 of holder 92.

The other end of spring 14 is The said structure is indicated at 18 andis so constructed that it will selectively support the backs of brushheads at different levels in position to have deposited thereon aquantity of paste through the outlet 69 of cap'68. The structure 88 isof channel shaped cross section and includes a pair of resilient sides19, 88, formed at their upper ends with oppositely disposed outwardlydirected flanges 8|, 82 respectively. The outer end edges of the sides19, 80 are inclined forwardly from their upper to their lower ends. Thesides 19, 8!! at their lower ends merge into the bottom 83 of thestructurelB. The bottom 83 is formed of a U-shaped depending part 84provided at its top with a pair of oppositely disposed lateral portions85, 86 which merge into the lower ends of the walls 19, 38 respectively.The side walls of the structure 18 are connected together at the top bya brace piece 81 disposed at the forward ends of saidsides. The part 84of the bottom 83 is formed at its front with a depending flange 88 andrearwardly of the latter with a lengthwise extendng cut-out 89 havingdepending from the rear end wall'thereof a flange 98.

The structure 18 includes means for positioning the bristles of largeand small size brush consist of a pair of holders 8|, 92 disposed atright angles to each other (Figure 5). The

holder 9! merges at one side into a barrel 93.

The holder 92 is. formed of an intermediate part 95 and a pair of sideparts 95, 96,disposed in opposite relation and at right angles to thepart 94.. The part 95 merges into the barrel 93. The holder BI is ofrectangular contour. The part 94 of the holder 92 is of rectangularcontour and provided with a stop 9? at its rear end. The width of holderBI is greater than the inter- The part 96 of holder 92 bears against theinner face of the holder 9| (Figure 5).

Journaled in the flanges 88, 89 is a shaft 98 which extends through andis fixed to the barrel 93. The shaft 98 extends beyond flange 88and isformed with a right angular disposed handle part 99 (Figure 1) having aflattened portion 'lilil. When the handle part is in the position shownin Figure 1 the holder member 92 will be in the position shown in Figure5 and in such a position it is employed to hold the back of a smallbrush at the desired level to position the .bristles of the head inproximity to outlet 89 to receive a quantity of paste. When the handlepart 99 is shifted downwardly at right angles from the position shown inFigure 1 the holder 9! will be shifted to the position shown in Figure 6carrying the holder 92 therewith, and when holder 9| is in the positionshown in Figure 6 it is employed for supporting a large size brush headin proper position to receive a quantity of paste from outlet 69. Theflange 89 is formed with protuberances' ml and I82 for holding thehandle part 99 in selective positions and which in turn will maintainthe holders 9!, 92 in their selective positions.

One side of the U-shaped part 84 of bottom 83 is formed with a cut-out03 to provide a clearance for the stop 97. The latter is employed forlimiting the inward movement of a brush head of small size when insertedin structure 78. The U-shaped part 84 of the bottom 83 of structure i8is formed with a stop it for arresting the inward movement of the largebrush head when inserted in the structure 18. The cut-out 89 provides aclearance for holder 92 when it is shifted to and from position forholding a small brush head. When the holder 92 is in active position itis arranged above the cut-out 85 in the U-shaped part 84 of the bottom83. The holder 9! is always arranged in the U-shaped part 84 of bottom83 whether the holder 9! be horizontally or vertically disposed, butwhen vertically dis-.

posed it is arranged along one side of the holder 92 and in thisconnection, see Figure 5.

The structure I8 is for removable connection to the bottom 2 of housingI and such connection is had by inserting the flanges SI, 82respectively in the retainers I4, I8 and retainers I5, I9 respectively.The resiliency of the sides 79, 86 of the structure I8 tend tofrictionally bind the latter in connected relation with regard to thehousing. When it is desired to remove the structure I8 from itsconnected position, such as shown in Figures 1, 2, 3, the sides I9, 80are moved toward each other to release them and then slid from bottom 2.The inward shifting of the sides I9, 80 is limited by the lugs onextension I'I. Inset portions H are provided in the sides I9, 89 toenable for the shifting of the sides I9, 8!] of structure I8 inwardlytoward each other.

When the structure I8 is connected to the bottom 2 of housing Iprovision is had for clearingpart II of cut-off I0 when holder 9| ismoved from vertical to horizontal position and from horizontal tovertical position and also when holder 92 is moved from vertical tohorizontal position and from horizontal position to vertical, and suchprovision consists in providing holder 9! with a cut-out I06 and holder92 with cut-out IIJ'I.

It will be assumed that the structure I8 is in the position shown inFigure 6 to allow the insertion of a large brush head therein to besupported on holder 9|. The large brush head is inserted in structure 18to an extent to move the cut-oiT ID to a position to open the outlet 69for the passage of paste onto the brush head. The inward movement of thebrush head is arrested by the stop I04. The brush head does not shiftthe cut-01f to an extent to move the part I2 to the position shown'inFigure 8. The cut-oil III, when shifted to open outlet 69, bears on theside of the brush head and frictionally clamps it into position forreceiving a quantity of paste from the tube. After the brush head hasbeen arranged in the manner stated, the expelling mechanism is operatedto the desired extent to cause a discharge of paste onto the brush head,due to the fact that part 1'2 of cutoff 10 has opened outlet 69. Afterthe expelling mechanism has been operated to the desired extent thebrush head is moved from structure I8 and the cut-01f automaticallyreturns to its normal or closed position relative to outlet 69. When asmall brush head is inserted in the structure I8, the action as referredto in con noction with the insertion of a large brush head is had, withthis exception that the inward movement of the small brush is arrestedby the stop 91 and holder 92 has been moved to a position to supportsuch head.

The stop I M is resilient and acts as a latch for holder 9i when thelatter is in its inoperative position, that is to say, verticallydisposed.

The part 25 may be formed with openings for the purpose of suspendingtooth brushes at the rear of housing I. The latter, however, is providedat its side I08 with a lateral suspension I09 for a tooth brush.

When outlet member 68 is to be removed for the purpose of uncoupling theneck of the tube relative to the housing, the structure I8 is slid fromoff of the bottom wall 2.

What I claim is:

1. In a device for dispensing paste from a collapsible tube, a capmember for connection to the neck of the tube and formed with a pasteoutlet, a combined tube collapsing and paste expelling mechanismincluding a rotatable operating element therefor and a rotatable tubewinding element, and said elements having intermittently operablecoacting interengaging means forintermittently latching said operatingelement operating during the rotation of the latter.

2. In a. device for dispensing paste from a collapsible tube, a pasteoutlet member for removable connection to the neck of the tube, acombined tube collapsing, winding and paste expelling mechanismincluding a rotatable operating element therefor formed with a circularrow of spaced sockets and a rotatable tube winding element provided witha spring controlled latching member selectively engaging with saidsockets on the rotation of the operating element for regulatingdischarge of the paste in substantial equal quantities.

3. In a device for dispensing paste from a col- :1.

lapsible tube, a paste outlet member for connection to the neck of thetube, and means disposed in relation to said member for the insertiontherein of brush heads for receiving paste from said member, said meansincluding an adjustable element for selectively supporting brush headsof different sizes below and at diiferent levels relative to saidmember.

4. Ina device for dispensing paste from a collapsible tube, a pasteoutlet member for connection to the neck of the tube, and means disposedin relation to said member for the insertion therein of brush heads forreceiving paste from said member, said means including an adjustableelement for selectively supporting brush heads of difierent sizes belowand at different levels relative to said member, and a spring controlledcut-off normally closing said member, arranged in the path of andshiftable to open position by an inserted brush, said cut-ofi coactingwith said means for detachably clamping the brush head stationary belowsaid member.

5. In a device for dispensing paste from a collapsible tube, a pasteoutlet member for connection to the neck of the tube, and means disposed in relation to said member for the insertion therein of brushheads for receiving paste from said member, said means including anadjustable element for selectively supporting brush heads of differentsizes below and at different levels relative to said member, said meansand element provided with stops for limiting the extent of the insertionof the brush heads.

6. In a device for dispensing paste from an inverted collapsibleupstanding tube, a housing structure formed of a vertically disposedhollow upper portion for removably receiving the tube and an open fronthollow lower portion extended forwardly at right angles to the lower endof the upper portion for removably supporting therein a brush head to besupplied with paste, said lower portion including a horizontallydisposed part providing the bottom of said upper portion and the top ofsaid lower portion, said part supporting the breast of the tube andbeing formed adjacent its rear end with an opening for the passage ofthe neck of the tube, a cap arranged within said lower portion forconnection to the tube neck for coupling the tube to said part, and saidcap having an axially disposed paste discharge passage opening into saidlower portion.

7. In a device for dispensing paste from an inverted collapsibleupstanding tube, a housing structure formed of a vertically disposedhollow upper portion for removably receiving the tube and an open fronthollow lower portion extending forwardly at right angles to the lowerend of the upper portion for removably supporting a brush head thereinto be supplied with paste, said lower portion including a horizontallydisposed part providing the bottom of said upper portion and the top ofsaid lower portion, said part supporting the breast of the tube andbeing formed adjacent its rear end with an opening for the passage ofthe neck of the tube, a cap arranged in said lower portion forconnection to the tube neck for coupling the tube to said part, said caphaving an axially disposed paste discharge passage opening into saidlower portion, and said lower portion having shiftable means arrangedtherein for selectively supporting the backs of brush heads of difierentheights at different levels within said portion.

8. In a device for dispensing paste from an inverted collapsible tube, ahousing structure formed of a vertically disposed hollow upper portionfor removably receiving the tube and an open front hollow lower portiondisposed forwardly at right angles to the lowerend of the upper portionfor removably supporting therein a brush head to be supplied with paste,said lower portion including a horizontally disposed part providing thebottom of said upper portion and the top of said lower portion, saidpart supporting the breast of the tube and being formed adjacent itsrear end-with an opening for the passage of the neck of the tube,.a caparranged'in said lower portion for connection to the tube neck forcoupling the tube to said part, said cap having an axially disposedpastedischarge passage opening into said lower portion, and a springcontrolled pivotally mounted valve structure within said lower portionincluding a horizontally disposed cut-oil normally closing said passageand rearwardly shiftable to open the passage by a brush head wheninserted in said lower portion, said cut-off including a vertical partfor bearing against one side of the inserted brush 25 head for retainingthe cut-off in its rearwardly V shifted position to open said passage.

WILLIAM M. CHRISTOPHER.

